Closure disk and securing means therefor



Nov. 12, 1929. L. T. RICHEY 1,735,056

CLOSURE DISK AND SECURING MEANS THEREFOR Filed Sept. 22, 1928 W/ AV/// W/AW] anoeuto a ,Z- 7. R iahe Patented Nov. 12 1929 UNITED (STATES PATENT? OFFICE OF ONE-HALF TO CLOSURE DISK AND SECURING MEANS THEREFOR Application filed September 22, 1928.

This inventionrelates to a closure disk and securing means therefor and more particularly relates to a closure adapted to be used in connection with pipe outlet terminals of the type disclosed in a co-pending application filed September 28, 1928, Serial No. 307,7 51.

One object of the invention is to provide a closure disk which may be easily set into an opening formed in a face plate of an outlet i terminal and when turned a partial revolution in one direction secured in place.

Another object of the invention is to pro* vide the closure disk with an improved type of securing means or element adapted to engage annular flanges projecting from Walls of an opening in which the disk is received, the flanges being so formed that continuous rota tion of the disk in one direction when in place will be permitted without dislodging the disk whereas rotation in an opposite direction will not only cause the disk to be released from the cooperating flanges but also cause the disk to be moved outwardly from its seated position within the opening.

Another object of the invention is to provide a closure disk and securing means therefor which is simple in its construction and, at the same time, strong and durable and efficient in operation.

' 39 The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a face plate having an opening therein closed by a closure disk formed in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is a view looking at the inner face of the face plate and closure disk.

Figure 3 is a transversely sectional view through the face plate and closure disk, taken on the line 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view taken through the face plate on the line 4l4 of Figure 2, with the closure disk removed.

Figure 5 is a sectional View taken transversely through the face plate on the line 55 of Figure 2, with the closure disk removed.

Figure 6 is a perspective view lookingat the inner face of the closuredisk.

'50 While the closure has been illustrated in Serial No. 307,607.

the co-pending application referred to above,

it will be understood that this merely illustrates one of a number of devices to which the closure is applicable. This plate 1 is formed with an opening 2 to be closed by aclosure disk 3 and the opening and closure disk are both circular so that the disc may be rotated when disposed within the opening. The disk or cap when set in place bears against annular flanges 4 which project from the walls of the opening 2 and the central portion of the cap projects inwardly beyond'its marginal portion to form a hub or extension 5 shown 'clear- 135 ly in Figure 6, and about which the flanges l snugly fit as shown in Figure The flanges 4 each has one end portion formed with a sloping outer surface as shown at 6, and its other end portion formed with a sloping innor surface 7and, therefore the adjacent ends of the flanges are disposed in spaced planes, as shown in Figure 5, and the surfaces 6 and 7 will constitute cam surfaces serving a purpose to be hereinafter fully set forth. It 7 will also be noted that at their extreme ends the flanges are further beveled, as shown as Sptoeliminate any danger of the ends of a locking strip 9 catching against the ends of the flanges when the'closure disk is rotated 1 in the opening. It is also desirableto have the ends of the flanges disposed out of parallel relation to a radius of the opening and disk so that the ends of the locking strip may very easily move into proper engagement with the flanges. e

The locking strip consists of a strip of resilient metal which extends diametrically across the hub 5 and is fitted in a groove 10 where it is secured by spot welding or in any other desired manner. This resilient strip is of such length that its end portions projectfrom the hub, thereby providing tongues 11 each of which is twisted as shown in F igures 3 and 6, and thereby disposed in such angular relation to the peripheral face of the hub 5 that it may have cooperative engagement with'the surfaces 6 and 7 of the flanges 4. It should also be noted that the inner surfaces 12 of the flanges are beveled 10o transversely so that the tongues 11 may have fiat contacting engagement with the surfaces of the flanges when engaged therewith to retain the closure disk in place.

When the closure disk is in use it is set in place within the opening 2 formed in the face plate with the projecting ends of the strip 9 passed through the space between the ends of the flanges at. A screw driver or other suitable turning implement is engaged in the groove or eye 13 formed in the outer face of the disk and rotary motion imparted to the disk in a clockwise direction. As the disk turns to the extended ends or tongues 11 of the securing strip contact with the beveled inner surfaces 7 of the flanges and ride into engagement with the sloping inner surfaces 12 of these flanges. As they move into engagementwith the inner surfaces of the flanges the extended ends of the looking strip are sprung away from the closure disk a slight distance and are, therefore, placed under tension and very effectively serve to retain the closure disk in place. If the disk is turned in a clockwise direction to such an extent that the ends of the securing strip move off of the securing flanges it is merely necessary to impart a further rotation and they will again be moved into proper engagement with the flanges. When it is desired to release the disk it is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction and as soon as the extended ends of the strip Contact with the sloping outer surfaces 6 of the flanges they will ride onto the outer surfaces of the flanges and in view of the fact that the twisted portions of the securing strip project from the hub they will cause the disk to be moved outwardly and the disk will drop from the opening or may be easily grasped and lifted out of place. I have therefore, provided a closure disk and means for securing the same which is of a simple construction and very eflicient in operation.

What is claimed is:

1. In a structure of the character described, a body formed with an opening, annular flanges projecting from the walls of said opening to form an interrupted ledge spaced from the outer end of the opening, a cap fitting into said opening against said ledge and rotatable therein and having its central portion extended to form a hub, the said flange fitting snugly about the hub and the face of the hub being formed with a groove constituting a seat, and a strip extending through said groove and secured therein with its end portions projecting from the hub to form arms adapted to pass through the ledge between the ends of said flanges and engage against the inner faces of the flanges to secure the cap when the cap is turned a partial rotation in the opening.

2. In a structure of the character described, a body formed with an opening, an-

aular flanges projecting from the walls of said opening to form an interrupted ledge spaced from the outer end of the opening, a cap fitting into said opening against said ledge and rotatable therein and having its central portion extended to form a hub, the said flanges fitting snugly about the hub and having their inner surfaces beveled towards their side edges, and a strip secured transversely across said hub with its ends projecting from the hub and constituting arms to pass between the ends of said flanges and engage across the inner faces thereof when the cap is set into the opening and turned a partial rotation in the opening, the said arms being pitched transversely at an incline to facilitate movement thereof into engagement with the flanges.

in testimony whereof I afiix my signature LEON T. RICHEY. [ns] 

